Door-control apparatus



Nov. 18, 1930.

DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Aug: 23, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ZeLLZGIZHLZZ/ Nov. 18, 1930.

Original Filed Aug. 23, 1927 R. HILL DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 '-E g7 75 4 as 5 5.9 10 l/ u I O @9 i u i I I 41 L i f INVENTQR g fiuemm Nov. 18, 1930. I R. HILL 3 DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 2s;--'192v a'snets sheet 3 Tie- INVENTOR Nov. 18, 1930.

R. mu. 1,782,040-

DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed :23, 1927 4 Shoots-Sheet 4 VENTOR is guided for reciprocating movement at the 13 which engagelug s 14 on the;cross-head 9 to supportthelatten' H The means for moving'the cross-headiin a x direction to close the door comprises preferably ajmaster element 15 pivotally mounted upon a pin or-bearing'16 having. its ends secured in the side walls of easing 1. The upper portion of the master element is substantially triangular in shape and comprises spaced jaws slotted at 17 to receive the bear ings or lugs 18 on each side of the cross-head 9 whereby to effect movement of the master member upon reciprocation of the crosshead. The particular shape of the element 15, as shown,is not material, it beingunderstood that a different connection between pins 16 and lugs 18 willserve the same pur pose. c 7

Referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the element includes a hollow cylindrical casing or drum portion 19 vwhich is recessed at one'side to receive a. combinedratchet and gear wheel 20 concentric with the cylindrical casing portion 19. A sleeve 22 is constructed integrally with the wheel 20 and projects through one wall of said casing portion to the opposite wall thereof. The pin .16. is secured at'its ends in the walls of the main casing 1 and has its enlarged bearing portion 23 seated against the casing walls for the purpose of centering the pin therein. A sleeve 22 fits around the bearing portion- 23 and is heldfrom turning by a stud 24 which passes through a hole in the bearing portion and engages in a notch 25 in'the sleeve 22..

v A coil spring 26 fits within the hollow cylindrical portion 19 of the element 15 and is secured at its outer end to the inner face of the wall thereof at 27. The inner end of the coil spring 26 is secured by a pin 28 to the sleeve portion 22 of the gearelement 20. The element 20 is provided with teeth 29 by means of which it may be rotated so asto wind the inner end. of said spring around the sleeve 22 to produce the desired tensioningefiect. .A winding key, not shown, having teeth thereon, is adapted to be inserted I through anopening in the face of the casing 1, so located asito cause the teeth of the key to properly mesh. with the teeth29 on the yelement 2Q. It-will be understood that by turning the winding key in the proper. direction, the spring 26 can be properly tensioned. I provide a spring pressed pawl 33 on the rear wall of casing-1 adaptedtoengage the teeth 29 to hold the/element 20. from reverse movement. vFor the purposeof releasing the pawl, I provide a slot,-not:shown,in the face v of the casingthrough whichan implement may be inserted to'deprcssthe pawl in order to disengageit'frorn the teeth 29, by which means the tension of spring 26 may be readily diminished.

A plate element 85' closes the front of. the holow'cylindrical portion 19 of element 15 and is provided with ears 36 secured to the face of said element by means of a plurality of screws as shown in Figl l.

'Inthe lower part of the casing is shown a casting 39 having a cylinde'ry40 carrrying a piston 39 ,connected with the master element 15 by link 40, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. .A duct 41 leading from the lower end of the cylinder 40 has its upper end closed by I a valve 42 provided on a pivot bar 43; A.

check valve generally indicated at 44 is provided in the cylinder casting 39.. Thisvvalve' 'servesto control communication between'the duct 41 andthe atmosphere and comprises a hollow plug member 45 having an'inlet46,

Fig. 2, communicating with the duct 41. The

cooperating with said seat] is a ballyalve' member 47; Then thepiston 39 is traveling upward withincylinder 40, the check valve 47 is automaticallyiopened to allow air to pass freely therethrough to the cylinder. The check valve closes, however, when the piston is traveling downward by reason of the pressure forcing the ball member against its seat. When the check valve is'closed the air may pass slowly'from the cylinder-to the atmosphere through asuitable-metering valve 48 which is adjustable'to vary the amountof air discharging. from the cylinder. The operating meansfo'rthe valve 42 com- 7 prises a spring '49 adapted to normally lift the valve to uncover theend. of duct 41 and alsoa releasing element 50. Thereleasing element 50.;co1n'prises. a lever pivoted at 51 to the casing 1. The lower endof the'lever is widened and has formed therein a; cam slot'52 adapted to engage a lug 53 on the rod 43 which is pivoted to the casting 39 at 43.

The cam slot. is eccentric to the axis of the as seen in Fig. 1, lies s ome'w hat closer to the pivot pin 51 so that the inner, end of said slot,

the valve 42 thereonwhen the upper end of the lever 50is swung inwardly. by the.door from the position shown in Fig.1 q

A plunger, 54;is pivotally connected to the upper end of lever 50 above pivot 51. The plunger projects through an opening in the casing cover plate2 and liesin; sueha positionthat its end'will bestruck'by-the hingeof the door as itcloses, thus causing the lower end'of the lever to swing forward ly, thus causing the cam or eccentric portion of the lever to raise the bar 43 through engagement with the lug 53 whereby to raise valve 42 to uncoverthe pper end-of duct 41.

u A compression spring-'55 bears at one end lug 56 having a flat surfacewhichlies-at rieht angles toya-radialline throughthe pin 1601i which the elementl is mounted.

""Aleaf spring 57 is fixed atits front end to the casing and pro ects beneath the eleinent in a position to be depressed by the *lug56. It will be seen that this spring serves to aid in the retarding actionof the door to some extentuntil a point is reached where the door is nearly closed andthe corner oi the lug 56 has'reached the position at which "it no longer depresses the spring 51. Atthis point in the closing operation the spring 57' will iquic'lrenvitsmovement to efi'ect asnapping action of the master member which will result in a relatively quick movement of the door to extremec'losed position.v At or just before the snapping action of the spring,

valve 42 will be opened by the action of the lever to permit a quick discharge of the air from the cylinder, whereby to decrease the load on the springs 28 and 57. lVhen the fiat. face of lug 56 is in engagement with spring 57, it will be seen that there is a latchingiaction, that is, the parts will befrict-ionally held in this position and it will take slight- 1y "more'iorce in opening the door to move it the first iew inches of its movement than it will after the lug 56 and spring 57 have separated. 1 I

When the door has been opened a shortdistance, it will be .seen'that' the hinge passes out of contact'with the end of plunger 54 allowing it to move outwardly under the force of spring and thecam on the lower end of lever 50 will cooperate with the lug 58 on the bar 43 to move it downwardly whereby to close the valve 412. The cylin der 40 is opened to the atmosphere while the door'is-being opened by the unseating of the check valve 47. lV'hen the door has been openedand released, the spring'26 serves to close the same under the retarding "force of the air acting against the downwardmovement of the piston. 1

' .I claim as my invention:

1-; A door control device, comprising a casf ing,.an element p1votally:mounted in Sit-1d casing andhaving a spring connected therewith through which force is transmitted, to closethe door, 'an operating member for said element arranged-to slide thereon during op- ;eration thereofia supporting guide for the operating member on which the latter is 'free to slide, a second spring in said casinghaving a 'eontactsurface, and al'ug'on said element adapted upon rotation of's' 'aid element-to engage said surface whereby said second mentionedspring will operate to oppose or retard firerotation ofzsiiid element diii 'n'ig a portion and peratitei i connected the et H "to I oppose the action" er said "spring-Hie n said element in the door clean" szhdfmeans compr smg an"-ele'rnen p mg through sald casing in a position to 'ib'e nally within a doorijam of its movement throu-gh engag'eineiit oif 'th'e llng and will -quicken the action for*the rest :of- "its movementto effect-a quickenedmove 2. In a door-closing device, a e teiengaea casing arranged to be 7 positioned loii-gitiidina l-lyiwithin a doorja mb-and liaviil-g an -turein theedgethereoffa link movahl wise through said ;a enure and "fl-iaving .l-ts outer end arranged-for connection to a door, a pin secured within said "-casi ng'jposi-tione d transversely to w the length threef, an elemeans 7 associated j with said elelnentten'ding to move the'sam'eja'bout its pivotalaiiis in a direction to close the doorfretarding means a a I positioned within said casing below said a predetermined point in them ngaged and v d-by the door'inits closing movement. a i

3. Inadoorclosingdevice,aflat'elongated 1 casing arranged to be pps'itioned:longitiuiii, an i'pf l ini edge of it said casing, a; link movable "endwis'e through said aperture and*havingjnseuter n 1 end arranged for engaginent w' thja door, I element pivofally'mounted in said casing vto oscillate substantially in the rime-er the door when inclosed position, said element being connected above its pivotal iaxisxto the inner end of said link, spring means associated with said element tending to move the same about its pivotalaXis in a direction to close the door, retarding means positioned within said casingbelow said element, said retarding means comprising a'cylinder, a

piston in saidcylinder, a piston rod connected at one end to said piston and at the other end to said element, a check valve for allowing free passage of fluid within said cylinder only opening direction, an additional valve'associatedwith saidcylinder, a movable cam arranged'to open said valve when said cam is moved, and means for moving-said cam comwere a ment of {the door n aPrroaehi-ng ermine :closed position. 7.

ment pivotal ly"moirntedonfsaid pin, "said 1 {element being connected above its jpivotal akls to'the' inner "end of said link,"spring prisinga member projecting through said in its closing movement.'

4. In a door control de y ranged for insertion within arecessed door member or door "jam member, an "oscillatory device upon thesupport, a link carriedby casing in a position to be'engaged by the door said oscillatorydevice for connection with one of said members, means serving to move the osclllatory device 1n a-=d1rect1o1rto exert vice, a support ar-- 7 'iia when the rotary element ismoving inthe door a pull onthe linkto move the-latterfrom an outer-,to an inner position, and a yieldable element having one end fixed to, the support" and the other in aposition to beflexed by a portion of said oscillatory device whjenthe link approaches said inner position. v

5.In a door control 'device, a support arranged for insertion within arecessed door,

memberor door jam member, an oscillatory device uponthe support, a link-carried iby saidroscillatory device for connection withv one of sa1d members,means serving to move the oscillatory device in a direction to exert a pull on the link to move the latter from an outer to an inner position, and a yieldable element fixed to the support and arranged .to v cooperate with a portion of the oscillatory device to quicken the movement thereof when the link approaches its inner position. 6. In a door closing device, a support adapted for insertion. in a recessed door mem-V beror door jam member, an oscillatory device on said support arranged tor movement between 1nner and-outer pos tions thereon, a

link pivoted on the oscillatory member and adapted for connection with one of said members, means'for moving the oscillatorymemally mounted upon one of said members for a swinging movementthereon, a link connected to one end. of said element and arranged to be connectedat its opposite end to the'one otsaid member means acting on said element tending tojswing it in one direction about its pivotal axis whereby said door member is urged to a closed position, retarding means associated with said element for opposing its inovement in the @door closing direction, control means for said retarding means adapted fordecreasing its retard- 7 ing effect, andmeans projecting inposi-tion to be engaged by one of said membersat a predetermined point in the closing movement of the door for actuating said control means. 8. In a door closing devlce, a supporterranged tobe mounted in a chamber formed "in a door .jamb substantially in the plane of the door when it is in closed position,' door closing means connected with the support for operation within the chamber and including a part adapted for connection with the door, said means duringthe opening of; the doo'r retarding being conditioned toefliect movement of the door to substantlally" closedjiposition vwhen the chamber and-associated with said retarding means for effecting a decrease inlts retarding action when the door approaches closed position, said control means includl a spring pressed lever having a part proreleased, a retardingdevice arranged toocf copy a position within said chamber and cooperating with theclosing means to retard its I action when,operatingfto'close the door, and controlmeans arranged for operation within ecting in the path of and, arranged to be actuated by the door whereby to render the control means effective"; 7 5 r 1 9, A door control device comprising means adapted foroperation betweena door jamb and a door arranged during the opening movement of the latter tobe conditioned thereby to effect movement of the door to 1 I g substantially closed position when released, 7

means for retarding the door. when moving to said position, vand control means independent of the door closing means arranged to efiect a decrease in the retarding action of said retarding meanswhen the door apo'roaches said osition said control means J,

comprising relatively movable parts-one of whichis arranged to be engaged andsactuated by the. door when nearing closing position. f j I 7 10. A door control device for operation between :a door and a door jamb having a chamber formed'therein' comprising closing means within the chamber for the door adapted to be'connected with the latter and arranged to be conditioned thereby during the opening of the door to effect closing of the same whenv released, pneumatic retarding means for the closing means including a pressure control'valve, and actuating means for the valve including a part arrangedto be operated by the door independently of the closing means for retarding the action of said means when the door approaches a predetermined position. I i

'11. A door control "device comprising means adapted for operation between a door jamb and a'door, comprising closing means arranged to be conditioned during the opening of the door to. effect closing of the same when released, pneumatic retarding means forthe closing means,,means arranged to be operatedby the door independently of the 7 closing means for retarding the action ofsaid retarding means when the door approaches a predetermined position, and 'yieldable means serving to positively reflect a relatively quick closing movement ofjthe door when moved to said predetermined position. l I 12. In apparatusof the class described, door control meansfor operation between (a fixed and a movable r-doormember, compris ing a support adapted for connection with one of said members, anioscilla-tory: deviceion the support, a link arranged for connection will positively efiect a with the other of said members slidably car ried by the support and in sliding engagement with said oscillatory device, means tending to urge the oscillatory device in a direction to close the movable door member when the latter is opened, and means arranged to cooperate with said device when the movable door member approaches closing position whereby toefiect a relatively quick closing movement of the-latter, said means being designed to resist the initial opening movement of the movable door member. 1 e r 13. In apparatus of the classdescribed, door control means comprising 'an oscillatory device and a connection arranged for operation between the door jamb and the door, means tending tourge the oscillatory device 111 a direction to close the, door when the latter is opened, aleaf spring fixed at one end and having its opposite end projecting in the path of a portion ofsaid oscilla tory device, said portion being designed to move the spring when the door approaches closing position and to subsequently permit a snap action thereof whereby the spring quick closing move ment of the door. a v a 14. In apparatus of the class described,

7 door control means arranged for operation between a door member and a amb member, V

comprising an oscillatory device arranged for connection' with oneof said members, a guide on said last mentioned. member, a link slidable upon saidldevice and said guide and arranged for connection with the other of said members, means tending to urge the oscillatory device in a direction to close the door member when .thelatter is opened, and normally inactive means adapted to cooperate with the oscillatory device when the door member approaches closing position to positively effect a relatively quick closing movement of said door member,rsaid means including apart on the oscillatory device and a yieldable element arranged to be tensioned thereby when said part is moved to a predetermined position whereby said part will be actuated by said element. a

15. In apparatus of the class described, a I door control device arrangedfor operation betweena door member and a jamb member, comprising an oscillatory device and an operating connection thereon, means tending to urge the oscillatory device in a direction to close the door member when the latter is opened, normally inactive means adapted to cooperate with the oscillatory device when the door member approaches closing position to eflect a relatively quick closing movement of said door member, retarding means for said oscillatory device, and meansindependent of the oscillatory device arranged to be retarding action of said position;

to the other of said members, forminga support for said connection on which the connection is free to slide, means tending to urge the oscillatory device in a direction to close the door member when the when the door 16. In apparatus of the class described, acdoor control device for operation between a door jamb member and a 'door member hingedthereto,comprising anoscillatory device ada'pted to be secured to one of said members, an operating connection for said v device arranged to shde thereon during o-pv eration thereof and adapted tov be secured guide means retarding means member approaches closing latter is moved to open position, and yieldable means arranged to be engaged and operated' by a portion of the oscillatory device to build up an increased resistance in the door member a the yieldabl'e means when approa-ches'closing position, said portion being designed to permitthe yieldable means when the door is in said position to have a snap action subsequent to movement'of the same'to a predetermined position whereby to effect a relatively quick movementof the door'member to closed position. 7

REUBEN HILL. 

